NEWS BY THE MAIL.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 152, 28 November 1874, Page 3

NEWS BY THE MAIL.

DENMARK AND GERMANY. The Loudon correspondent of the Argus writes : We have fallen upon times of comparative quietude. Such times are often the intervals of wholesome progress, but we have no social barometer to which to apply for a sure test. It is the season of political rest, and of the small talk that makes it pleasant, and if the larger speculations in which men are apt to indulge when relieved from the heavier pressure of routine. The crimes of violence which disfigure our newspapers are still their most sensational reading, and disturb our serener reflections A'ith the thought that the races of dangerous wild animals are not yet extinct among us. The only disquieting rumour in Europe relates to the relations between Germany and Denmark, for affairs in Spain continue in their ordinary state of anarchy, and the last hope of foreign intervention is fading out at Madrid. The letter of the Czar to Don Carlos, though its contents are still doubtful, appears to have been a reality, but it is now said to have been written in answer to one from Don Carlos, thanking his Majesty for not recognising the Serrano Government; when the action of the Czar in that matter is explained as dictated solely by a desire not to interfere in the internal affairs of Spain. Thus our Spanish news goes round the compass. In like manner we heard the other day that the Carlists, having attacked the position of General Moriones, had been repulsed after four days' hard fighting ; but this morning contradictory accounts report that it was the Republicans who were obliged to fall back. The policy, however, ascribed to Prince Bismarck in relation to Denmark would have far more serious issues than any complications in the south, and must necessarily arouse the jealousies of Russia, as handing over to Germany the key of the Baltic. The Vienna Tagespresse reiterates the story, and asserts that the project for bringing Denmark into the German confederation dates so far back as 1867, and that more recent proposals, comprising a retrocession of the whole of Schleswig, have really been made. A statement from St Petersburg confirms this account. Although much questioned, it has not yet been authoritatively denied, and those who most suspect Prince Bismarck of aggressive schemes, hear with uneasiness that the Federal Government is still devising fresh means of defence. It is understood that a bill is now in preparation providing for the embodiment in time of war of all able-bodied men no longer included in the line, the Reserve, or the Landwehr, and that this separate force is to be called the Landsturm. While France is steadily recruiting her strength, Russia, in spite of the difficulties encountered in the new conscription, is also every month becoming a more formidable neighbor, and the new measure is probably designed as another wall of defence on either hand. The whole breadth of Europe is thus becoming one vast camp, created in the interests of peace, and every whisper of movement or of new combinations at once excites alarm. The Berlin papers reply to the criticisms which have been evoked by the revival of this Danish question, that the treaty was concluded between Austria and Prussia, and defend the attitude of their Government in its non-fulfilment, by an appeal to the difficulties of the case, making even the text of the treaty some justification for delay. They make light of the expulsion of a few troublesome Danes from Schleswig, and do not take into account the actual hardships of the Danish-speaking population. The present state of affairs is perhaps best explained by the admission of Germany, that the stipulation so long disregarded was the result of unwelcome pressure when Napoleon was a power in Europe and gave his influence to Austria. OLD CATHOLIC SCHEMES OF REUNION. The London correspondent of the Argus writes:—lf congresses, and the interchange of opinion which they imply, are a sign of advancing civilisation, old Europe is making progiess. The last month has been fruitful in conferences of many kinds. First in importance, perhaps, was the Old Catholic Congress which met at Frieburg, and which was characterised by strong nationality of feeling. Its discussions were free and vigorous, perhaps the more so that the old Catholics have now their synod, and the congress, therefore, is not fettered by the responsibilities of a legislative assembly. The position which they now take up is significantly shown by their demand for a religious census, They are no longer content to allow the great body of the indifferent to be reckoned as nominal adherents of the Ultramontane doctrine; they would not only compel their opponents to make good their ground, but to renumber their forces, and they urge that it is the duty of the state to step in, and ask every man officially whether he accepts the decree of the Vatican Council, and in default of such adhesion, that he should be held to be an old Catholic. Such a proposal may appear to outsiders chimerical, . \\t it indicates the changed relationship of *.iea, and they say they are not afraid to pa h the inquiry, which would multiply 11, the 100,000 adherents whom they largely &om fche 14)000j 000 of Ultranow cidi montanism. A trreater interest attaches, however, in n,4a nnnntrv to a conference which was held, SpriTdYsnersalof the congress at Bonn, und r th pSetfCy of Dr Dollinger, with So object of framing some basis;of reunion for the churches of Christendom. The Anglican Church was represented by men of different schools-the Bishop of Winchester, Dean Howson, Liddon, and others. From America came the Bishop of Pittsburgh and other Episcopalians. The Eastern Church was represented by conspicuous men from St Petersburg, Moscow, Athens, and other places. There were also present several delegates of German Protestants, three pastors from Denmark, and the Abbe Michaud, as an old Catholic from France. In all there were more than 50 names inscribed on the lists; but the attendance was much larger. Dr Dollinger, who spoke English with ease, proved an admirable president, and showed that he thoroughly understood the difficulties of the task to which he had addressed himself. The warmest debate related to a question of interest only to theologians; but which it was necessary to settle before the members of the Eastern Church would enter into the negotiations. As is well known, the great difficulty between the churches of the east and the west relates to "the Procession of the Holy Spirit," and the addition of the Filioguc to the Nicene Creed,

A declaration was first submitted to the effect that the way in which this word was inserted was illegal, and fiat with a view to peace and amity, the original form of the creed should be restored. But this declaration did not satisfy eastern theologians, and only after protracted debate and reconsideration in committee, could they be brought to any conclusion. Finally, all parties agree 1 that it was desirable the whole church should set, itself seriously to consider whether the creed could be restored to its primitive form, "without sacrifice of any true doctrine which is expressed in the western form." A more important series of articles was presented by Dr Dollinger, with the purpose of meetiug Anglican objections to the Roman doctrines. The chief of them affirmed that the reading of the Holy Scripture in the vulgar tongue cannot lawfully be foibidden ; that, in geueral, it is more fitting the liturgy should be in the tongue understood by the people; " that faith working by love, not faith without love, is the means and condition of man's justification before God ;" and other points, the mere enumeration of which would carry me into the regions of controversial theology. A subsequent paper was directed against the excesses of modern Roman Catholic doctrine, and rejected the Immaculate Conception. Touching confession, it was affirmed that the practice had come down from the primitive church, and that " purged from abuses and freed from constraint, it should be preserved." The declaration on the Eucharist, which was subsequently adopted, I may give entire as relating to the central questions of ecclesiastical interest, and as characteristic of the general tenour and aim of the conference. It ran as follows:—"The Eucharistic celebration in the Church is not a continuous repetition or renewal of the propitiatory sacrifice offered once for ever by Christ upon the cross ; but its sacrificial character consists in this—that it is the permanent memorial of it, and representation and presentation on earth of the one oblation of Christ for the salvation of redeemed mankind, which, according to the Epistle to the Hebrews, is continuously presented in heaven by Christ, who now appears in the presence of God for us. While this is the character of the Eucharist in reference to the sacrifice of Christ, it is also a sacred feast, wherein the faithful receiving the body and blood of our Lord, have communion one with ario'her." Readers will pardon the theological language, which may seem out of place in these columns, but which, by its carefully-guarded words, best represents both the spirit and the possibilities of this new movement. The members of the conference when they repeated together the Te Deum at its close, believed that they had taken a step which might lead to larger results of brotherly intercommunion. It was an honest attempt to subordinate differences by mutual concession, and to formulate articles in which the members of divers churches might agree; but the main endeavour was to find words which concealed differences, rather than removed them, and the fatal weakness of all such compromises still remains. The re-union of Christendom is a dream worthy of Dr Dollinger, and the boldest of our religious reformers, but what is wanted is not so much the discussion of theological subtleties as united action against the evil and corrupt practices which infest the church as well as the world.